INDUSTRIAL WORKERS are faced with many challenging environments, often exposed to dirt and contamination on a daily basis. These conditions have led to frequent hand washing, with many workers using soaps that are too mild or too harsh for their skin.

Deb, the hand hygiene and skin care specialists, is magnifying the dangers of UV rays, through a series of ‘Think UV’ videos which highlight the impact that unprotected sun exposure has on outdoor workers’ skin.

Deb, the hand hygiene and skin care specialists, has introduced the DebSafe skin care programme for industry, which focuses on improving standards of skin care to prevent and reduce the threat of OSDs and ultimately improve skin health in the workplace.

EnviroDerm Services says that it spends a considerable amount of time keeping up to date with what is happening in the fields of dermatology and skin management so as to ensure that its courses reflect the latest knowledge and techniques in what is a complex and constantly developing field.

Our skin is constantly exposed to rising levels of pollutants and other irritants as a result of our modern lifestyles. Those working in a ‘wet’ environment where hands are regularly washed and exposed to chemicals and antibacterial soaps are also at an increased risk of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.

With winter almost here, it is time for organisations to focus on protecting employees working in low and freezing environments. Stokoderm Frost, a specialist pre-work cream formulated by Deb, is designed to keep the hands, face and other exposed skin healthy in cold working conditions.

Arco will present their training and consultancy offer during this year’s Safety & Health Expo including its programmes on confined spaces, working at height and hazard control. The Hull-based family run company will also be hosting a variety of live demonstrations.

According to Deb, an innovator of skin care products, if health & safety managers invest in an effective high-factor sunscreen solution and a comprehensive employee training and education programme, then 90% of all skin cancer deaths could be prevented.

Deb, a leader in occupational skin care products, and Ansell, a leader in protection solutions, have launched Triple Active Gel - the world’s first hand-health, under glove gel for occupational glove-wearers.

Harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are a serious issue and can cause major damage to workers’ skin including burns, premature skin ageing and cell mutations. In the worst cases, it can result in skin cancer. In the UK, five outdoor workers are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, yet 90% of skin cancer deaths could have been prevented if exposure to UV rays were controlled. Paul Jakeway, marketing director at Deb, explains how employers can take action to help protect workers

Refillable reservoir dispensers used to be the standard way to provide soap in washrooms – and many companies continue to hold on to these so-called bulk systems. Paul Jakeway, marketing director at skin care expert Deb, highlights why health and safety managers must better understand the inherent risks of bacterial contamination that bulk systems present, and explains why sealed cartridge dispensers are the safest, most efficient choice.

For the past few years, headlines around the world have been asking whether heat stress could represent a global health crisis. Indeed, a growing body of research points to reductions in labour productivity as a result of heat stress.

Many people will remember the old washing-up advertisement from the 1980s, which extolled the kindness of the ‘mild green’ solution to the hands – just one example of the promotion of products in the home to respect, protect, and keep hands safe. But in the workplace, says Clair Weston, marketing manager, Uvex (UK), individuals often don’t take the same amount of care.

The way in which the skin interacts with our environment is far more complex than many realise. It is all too easy to take action that appears logical, but that can actually increase the risk of damage which may then be irreversible and sufficiently serious to prevent that person from any further employment. Chris Packham offers some advice on how to recognise and control risks surrounding workplace skin exposure.

There are approximately 40,000 new diagnoses of work-related skin disease per year and statistics show that skin cancer is a developing issue; of the 2055 cases reported of work-related skin disease, 73% were dermatitis and 19% were skin cancer.